Asean Travel And Tours

  Ha Long Bay is a surreal landscape of limestone karsts erupting from the ocean like tidal waves made solid by magic and time. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, this natural wonder of the world has since become the single most popular tourist attraction in all of Vietnam. The 1500km2 bay is cupped by the Vietnam coastline just south of the Chinese border and dotted with thousands of uninhabited islands, floating fishing villages, and labyrinthine cave systems teeming with fossils, rock formations, myths, and mysteries. Snorkel and Dive to Explore Coral Reefs Though many travel guides focus on the landscape above the water, there’s a whole universe thriving below the surface. Ha Long Bay is home to more than 140 different species of coral, including rare varieties. These coral reefs cover up to 30 and even 60 percent of the area around islands like Cong Do, where legal restrictions, as well as geographic isolation, protect marine life from boat traffic, pollution, and ...

Hanoi authorities are investigating after a viral video showed a foreign tourist narrowly escaping serious injury while filming a train on the popular Train Street in the old quarter. The male tourist is seen using his phone to record a passing train when he is struck on the leg and knocked over. A bystander quickly pulls him to safety. A table is also knocked over and it rolls onto the tracks, causing panic among onlookers. A video shows a foreign man being struck on the leg and knocked over on Hanoi's Train Street while filming with his phone. Video by Facebook/Nghia Nguyen Following the incident, on June 14 authorities in Hang Bong Ward ordered increased surveillance at entry and exit points in the area. A ward's representative said on Monday that the incident happened in late 2024 and the foreign tourist suffered minor injuries. Train Street, famous for a railroad track being in close proximity to cafes and residences, was made off-limits in September 2022 due to safety con...

  As tourism rises, this humble street dish has become a must-try for visitors to Ha Long Bay “Head straight and turn into the alley near the big Indian almond tree,” locals in Quang Ninh Province’s Ha Long City, home to the famed Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam, tell visitors who ask where to find the best bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls) with chả mực (squid cake). Steamed rice rolls, or bánh cuốn, are a popular dish found throughout Vietnam, though the toppings and accompaniments vary by region. In Hanoi, bánh cuốn is served with fish sauce and chả quế (deep-fried cinnamon-flavored pork rolls); in Cao Bang Province, it comes with eggs and bone broth. In Ha Long, it is paired with chả mực, or squid cake. As tourism grows in Ha Long, this humble dish rises in popularity, offering a distinct and essential culinary experience in the city. One of the oldest and most popular places to try bánh cuốn chả mực in Ha Long is Goc Bang, a street-side stall tucked into Alley 1 on Nha Hat Street ...

  “In Search of the Dragon Pearl” brings modern performance art into a 100-year-old cave in Ha Long Bay. On the evening of June 4, the live spectacle In Search of the Dragon Pearl premiered inside the ancient Dragon Pearl Cave, located in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh. Marking the first time a cultural tourism event has ever been staged in a natural cave in Vietnam, the show forms part of Quang Ninh’s broader strategy to develop its nighttime economy. Dragon Pearl Cave is currently included in the city of Cam Pha’s 2025–2035 tourism development and heritage preservation plan for the Vung Duc scenic complex. In Search of the Dragon Pearl was written and directed by artist Le Thanh Phong. Music direction was led by People’s Artist Nguyen Huynh Tu, with artistic consultants including Prof. Dr. Nguyen The Ky (Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council), People’s Artists Hoang Quynh Mai and Tong Toan Thang, choreographer Le Viet, and circus director Meritorious Artist Ngo Le Thang. The ...

Vietnam is a paradise for hikers. A world away from the chaos of the major cities, there is a variety of trails, mountains and endless nature waiting to be explored. Whether it is summiting Fansipan mountain, exploring rice terraces and surrounding villages or delving into some of the world's biggest caves in Phong Nha, there is a staggering range of outdoor adventures available. One area of natural beauty that is often overlooked in Vietnam is the south. It may not possess the impressive karst limestone landscape synonymous with the mountainous north or the picturesque evergreen trees of central Vietnam, but there are several hiking gems hidden within the relatively flat region around Ho Chi Minh City. Black Virgin Mountain (Ba Den) Let's start with the highest peak in southern Vietnam, Ba Den or Black Virgin Mountain in Tay Ninh Province. Ba Den Mountain next to rice fields in Tay Ninh Province.  The extinct volcano's summit may only be 996 m above sea level, yet it prese...

Vietnam celebrated a double win on international food magazine TasteAtlas's list of Asia's top vegan dishes, with vegan pho landing at 34 and tomato tofu (dau hu sot ca) at 92. At number 34, vegan pho offers a plant-based take on Vietnam's noodle soup. Its broth draws its depth from a base of mushrooms, ginger, onions, soy sauce, and spices like cloves and cinnamon. Toppings include bean sprouts, tofu, mushrooms, and chili peppers, with options for other vegetables or even fruit. Coriander often garnishes the bowl, but fish sauce, sometimes served alongside, is not vegan. Ranked at number 92, dau hu sot ca (tofu in tomato-pepper sauce) features tofu cubes in a tomato-pepper sauce, made with garlic, shallots, chili, and tomatoes. The tofu is fried, then coated in the sauce, often garnished with coriander. The "100 Best Vegan Dishes in Asia" list is compiled from 12,294 ratings, with 5,717 recognized as legitimate. Topping the list was Lebanon's hummus, a spread...

Thailand's Rayong, Indonesia's Kalegowa, Vietnam's Nha Trang, the Philippines' Boracay Island, and Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur are among nine top destinations in Asia for "slow travel," according to travel platform Agoda. Rayong, a coastal city on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand, ranked first. "Rayong's unhurried pace and natural beauty make it an ideal destination for travelers looking to recharge and reconnect with nature," Agoda said. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood straight from local fishing boats, explore nearby islands such as Koh Samet, or simply relax under the shade of palm trees. Kalegowa, known for its lush rice fields, traditional Bugis architecture, and warm hospitality, ranked second. Agoda recommends taking time to explore local markets, savor authentic Indonesian cuisine, or embark on leisurely treks along scenic trails. Vietnam's central coastal city of Nha Trang placed fifth. "Nha Trang's laid-back vibe ...